Sitting Pretty

Sunday, February 3, 2013

While some of the remains at Malqata are very destroyed, even the barest traces can sometimes yield important evidence. One feature at the site was particularly interesting, although it was only defined by a few mud bricks that enclosed a rubble filled foundation. This was the central throne platform in “Room I,” which faced the great central hall, “Room H.”

Remains of throne platform in “Room I.”

Malqata Palace Plan.

While there are at least 13 other throne platforms in the palace area, this one is by far the largest, measuring 3 meters (almost 10 feet ) deep by 2.60 meters ( 8 1/2) wide, and certainly the most prominently placed. The extra wide dais would have been broad enough to hold both the enthroned Amenhotep alongside Queen Tiye as depicted in the tomb of Khereuf.

Amenhotep and Tiyefrom the Tomb of Khereuf.

The thrones would have been placed under an elaborate baldachin as shown in the painting from Theban Tomb 226, now in the Luxor Museum.

Amenhotep III and Queen Mutemwia.

Despite having to support such important individuals, the platform appears to have been rather hastily built, which is one reason it survives in such a poor condition. It also seems to have been built well after the rest of the building was largely finished as one of the items used to infill the space bordered by the outlining bricks was a lump of gypsum plaster used in the final decoration of the palace. This lump appears to have dried in the spouted bowl in which it was prepared, and still retains the shape of the container, as well as the finger marks of the artist who took out the last scoop of wet plaster before it dried.